Fire chiefs have launched an arson investigation following a "large" blaze at a Great Harwood mill last night.

Around 25 firefighters battled the flames and smoke at Albert Mill for more than three hours on Wednesday evening.

Large quantities of plastics and packaging were destroyed by the fire which affected one unit of the building on St Huberts Street.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews were called to the building in St Huberts Street shortly after 8pm after it was reported the mill was well alight. They are looking at the prospect of it being arson related."

He added: "It was a large fire and a lot of firefighters were needed in order to get close enough proximity to the flames. It was a significant incident which wasn't helped when the police had to be called because youths were trying to steal equipment. The crews were just trying to get on with their job so that was an annoyance."

Firefighters from Blackburn, Accrington and Great Harwood put the fire out and left the scene in the early hours of Thursday morning.